Gov. Newsom to decide whether or not to ban plastic bags from California stores for good

The original 2014 law, Senate Bill 270, allowed grocery stores to offer plastic bags that were deemed reusable and recyclable.Photo byChristopher VegaonUnsplash

California state lawmakers have approved two pieces of legislation that would effectively ban all plastic grocery bags, further strengthening the state's efforts to reduce plastic waste. Senate Bill 1053 and Assembly Bill 2236, passed this week, prohibit grocery stores from offering any bags other than paper at checkout, closing loopholes in the state’s original 2014 plastic bag ban.

SB 1053 passed the State Assembly on Thursday with a 49-5 vote, while AB 2236 cleared the State Senate on Wednesday with a vote of 31-8. Both bills now require one final vote in each house before heading to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for approval.

The original 2014 law, Senate Bill 270, allowed grocery stores to offer plastic bags that were deemed reusable and recyclable. However, this loophole led to an increase in the use of thicker plastic bags, which manufacturers claim meet the criteria but are still rarely reused, according to environmental advocates.

The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) praised the new legislation, stating that it would bolster the state’s efforts to curb plastic waste and protect the environment. If signed into law, California would become the first state in the nation to ban all plastic grocery bags, setting a precedent for other states to follow.